smart antenna makes us the perfect choice for 802.11ac one

In the Gigabit era in Wi-Fi connectivity, upgrading to the 802.11ac standard represents the next step in wireless evolution. Many enterprises looking to break the 1-Gbps speed barrier face the challenge of replacing existing 802.11n access points. While 802.11n operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency band, 802.11ac utilizes the 5GHz band, and the higher frequency of wireless signals adds up to shorter ranges. Before, transitioning from 802.11n to 802.11ac involved costly and time-consuming new wireless site surveys and the deployment of additional APs.

The ZyXEL Smart Antenna is a groundbreaking feature of the WAC6500 series of wireless APs that solves this problem by adaptively adjusting antenna patterns to fit a variety of wireless environments. The Smart Antenna’s industry-leading RF output power and sensitivity combine to offer greater coverage and performance over existing networks, ZyXEL WAC6500 makes one-to-one AP upgrade possible as your ultimate choice for 802.11ac migration.

Along with the ZyXEL Smart Antenna, the WAC6500 includes several other new features including innovative AP FlexTM, tool-less mounting bracket, and many other software enhancements like ZON Utility, a complete product designed to streamline network installation and speed deployment for the best possible Wi-Fi experience.

Benefits

Breakthrough Smart Antenna adapts to any environmentThe WAC6500 series is the industry’s leading 802.11ac AP, thanks in part to its innovative Smart Antenna design. Featuring more than 700 optimized antenna patterns, the ZyXEL Smart Antenna continuously calculates the ideal physical-layer path for each individual client. This feature not only offers the best possible signal by shaping to various patterns, but it also mitigates interference from other wireless clients. The WAC6500’s ultra-fast performance makes it perfect for delivering premium performance in interference-laden environments, such as conference centers, airports, educational facilities and other high-density venues. And the series’ enhanced adaptability further simplifies one-to-one AP replacement.

Best-in-class coverage and performance In a Wi-Fi market crowded with 802.11ac APs from a wide range of vendors, the WAC6500 series stands out with regard to performance and coverage due its unique RF design. The AP’s three-stream hardware configuration powers up to 30 dBm while providing unequaled Rx sensitivity as low as -102 dBm. The ZyXEL Smart Antenna doubles the WAC6500 series’ performance over conventional internal antennas, and performs three times (3x) better than legacy 802.11n APs

• ZyXEL smart antenna provides premium performance anywhere

• Advanced IEEE 802.11ac offers up to 1.75 Gbps combined data rates

• Industry-leading Rx sensitivity as low as -102 dBm

• AP FlexTM, ZyXEL ONE Network utilities, DCS and tool-less bracket design streamline deployment

• Load balancing and client steering ensure optimal wireless experience

Smart Antenna makes us the perfect choice for 802.11ac one-to-one replacement

WAC6500 Series 802.11ac Dual Radio Unified Pro Access Point

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Easy and instant deployment with AP FlexTM, DCS, and tool-less bracket designZyXEL AP FlexTM eases installation by resolving the managed/standalone AP mode configuration, automatically integrating into the network environment with or without Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), eliminating the need for pre-installation preparation. Other helpful features include Dynamic Channel Selection (DCS), avoided the interference of co-channel and overlapping channel at initialization. In addition to software solutions, the WAC6500 series’ simplifies installation through creative design features. For example, the universal and tool-less bracket design allows for flexible ceiling track mounting without the need for special tools. From software to hardware, the WAC6500 makes setup and operation fast and simple.

Efficient and reliable Wi-Fi networkThe WAC6500 ensures users get the best possible overall network performance by utilizing load balancing and client steering. Load balancing allows administrators to set limits on network traffic and the number of clients associated with each AP. Client steering monitors the capabilities of each wireless client and steers them to the less congested band and better signal AP. When it comes to deployments in challenging cabling locations, wireless mesh networks help extend Wi-Fi coverage. ZyXEL’s proprietary ZyMESH* creates reliable and resilient mesh links instantly. Yet the configuration is intuitive

and centralized manageable on NXC controller. ZyMESH improves network reliability through true wireless connectivity with repeater APs selecting multiple routes to provide backup and failover for uninterrupted service. Together, these three technologies provide the WAC6500 with unbeatable efficiency and reliability.

ZyXEL ONE Network experienceDeploying and maintaining a wireless network can be a tedious and repetitive task for busy IT administrators. ZyXEL created the ZyXEL ONE Network to solve this problem by simplifying operations like network configuration, management and troubleshooting, allowing administrators to focus on more pressing priorities. The ZyXEL One Network offers an easy-to-use tool, ZyXEL ONE Network Utility (ZON Utility), to streamline network setup. This powerful utility enables ZyXEL networking hardware to detect and recognize each other, further facilitating easy maintenance via one-click remote functionality that includes factory reset and power cycling. The ZyXEL AP Configurator (ZAC) constructs a template for copying profiles to several APs to allow batch firmware upgrading and profile backups, saving even more valuable time. The ZyXEL Wireless Optimizer (ZWO) is a handy tool for centralizing management, including initial planning, deployment adjustment and after-sale maintenance. Now, architects can collect key performance data and reconfigure APs with the help of the ZWO utility. These are just a few of the many ways the ZyXEL One Network redefines network integration across a range of networking products—from switches to Wi-Fi APs to gateways.

ZyXEL Smart AntennaZyXEL Smart Antenna continuously applies a unique algorithm to compute the best physical-layer path for every individual client. It not only considers best signal, but also mitigates RF interference on over 700 optimized antenna patterns. The “switch-beam” technique mitigating RF interference runs at the physical layer, requiring no effort on the part of the end-user. The adaptive antenna design handles a variety of tough deployments, including high-capacity, high-performance and interference-laden environments like conference centers, airports, classrooms and other crowded venues.

ZyXEL AP FlexTM

ZyXEL AP FlexTM includes Zero-touch AP mode changing and Automatic IP configuration. The Zero-touch AP mode setting detects if there is an existing controller and chooses stand-alone or managed mode. The Automatic IP configuration removes manual configuration, allowing the AP to set itself to fixed or dynamic IP automatically. With these two intelligent features, IT administrators can skip the two critical settings that were handled manually on legacy products, shifting focus to more critical configuration tasks.

Feature Highlights

Tool-less InstallationWAC6500 series features a creative design allowing installation of the AP in a variety of ceiling tracks without the need for tools. The variable width of ceiling tracks makes our bracket universally adaptable to any building structure.

Individual end-users can easily install the hardware, saving valuable time that could be better spent deploying additional APs.

Wireless Layer-2 IsolationThe layer-2 isolation protects private networks among client users, allowing users to access their shared devices without entering the rest of a private network for enhanced security. In addition, the intra-BSS blocking prevents peeping from Wi-Fi clients associated with same AP.

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Application Diagram

WPA2 Enterprise Certified ZyXEL WAC6500 series has been certified with industrial-strength WPA2 enterprise protection and has the wide-range support of Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) types. It can be seamlessly integrated with corporate RADIUS servers.

ZyXEL ONE Network UtilityTo streamline the management process, the WAC6500 series comes with the ZyXEL ONE Network (ZON) utility, allowing administrators to assign IP addresses to multiple APs through just one platform. Administrators can avoid the hassle logging into each AP to change the default IP addresses before physical installation.

ZyXEL AP ConfiguratorWhile deploying a number of APs, repetitive configuration of each unit takes time and effort. ZyXEL AP Configurator (ZAC) builds templates that allow users to copy one profile to several APs, allowing batch firmware upgrades and profile backups in three easy steps to significantly reduce configuration time and effort.

ZyXEL Wireless OptimizerZyXEL Wireless Optimizer (ZWO) provides a powerful tool for centralized management covering initial planning, adjustment during deployment and after-sale maintenance of an AP network. Architects can simulate AP deployment on a map displaying the number of APs needed. During deployment, ZWO will also map actual signal coverage for architects to adjust their AP locations or configurations. After-sale, network administrators can access key performance details from ZWO, including channel in use, transmit retry rate and frame error rate, as well as the devices on the environment map. ZWO’s user-friendly presentation saves time and facilitates quick response to the network problems.

ZyMESH*Wireless Mesh is an array of access points automatically forming dynamic wireless links. Built on this foundation of mesh networking, ZyMESH is ZyXEL’s proprietary protocol for creating wireless mesh links for easy configuration, optimized management and enhanced reliability.

*ZyMESH feature on WAC6500 series will be available in future release

Internet

Campus

Hotel

GS1920-24HP24-port GbE Smart Managed PoE+ Switch

GS1920-24HP24-port GbE Smart Managed PoE+ Switch

WAC6503D-S802.11ac Dual Radio Uni�ed Pro Access Point

USG1100Uni�ed Security Gateway



GS2210-48HP48-port GbE L2 PoE Switch

Lecture/Conference Hall

Library

Lounge Café

Stadium

Lobby

Swimming Pool

MeetingRoom

O�ce Area

WAC6502D-S802.11ac Dual Radio Uni�ed Pro Access Point

WAC6502D-E802.11ac Dual Radio Uni�ed Pro Access Point

Small and Medium

Business HQ

NXC5500Wireless LAN Controller

NXC2500Wireless LAN Controller

Ethernet

Wi-Fi

P1P2

P3P4

P5P6

USB

RESET

PWR

SYS1

2Wireless LAN Controller

NXC2500

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WAC6500 Series802.11ac Dual Radio Unified Pro Access Point

Specifications

Model WAC6503D-S WAC6502D-S WAC6502D-E

Product name

802.11ac Dual RadioUnified Pro Access Point

802.11ac Dual Radio Unified Pro Access Point

802.11ac Dual RadioUnified Pro Access Point

Main Design

Wireless frequency 2.4 and 5 GHz 2.4 and 5 GHz 2.4 and 5 GHz

Radio 2 2 2

RF Specifications

Frequency band

2.4 GHz (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n)• USA (FCC): 2.412 to 2.462 GHz• Europe (ETSI): 2.412 to 2.472 GHz • Taiwan (TW): 2.412 to 2.462 GHz

5 GHz (IEEE 802.11 a/n/ac)• USA (FCC): 5.15 to 5.35 GHz; 5.725 to 5.850 GHz• European (ETSI): 5.15 to 5.35 GHz; 5.470 to 5.725 GHz• Taiwan (TW): 5.15 to 5.35 GHz; 5.725 to 5.850 GHz

802.11n premium features

• 3x3 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) with three spatial streams

• Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC)

• 20-, 40- and 80-MHz channels• PHY data rates total up to 300

Mbps (11n) + 866 Mbps (11ac)• Packet aggregation: A-MPDU

(Tx/Rx), A-MSDU (Tx/Rx)• Cyclic Delay Diversity (CSD)

support• Maximum Likehood

Demodulation (MLD) support• Low Density Parity Check

(LDPC) support

• 2x2 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) with two spatial streams

• Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC)• 20-, 40- and 80-MHz channels• PHY data rates total up to 300 Mbps (11n) + 866 Mbps (11ac)• Packet aggregation: A-MPDU (Tx/Rx), A-MSDU (Tx/Rx)• Cyclic Delay Diversity (CSD) support• Maximum Likehood Demodulation (MLD) support• Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) support

Typical transmit output power (Conducted)

FCC 11b/g

FCC 11g/n

FCC 11a

FCC 11n/a (ac)

EU 11b/g

EU 11g/n

EU 11a

EU 11n/a (ac)

Number of antenna 6 embedded smart antenna 4 embedded smart antenna 4 external

Antenna gain 4 dBi @2.4 GHz6 dBi @5 GHz

4 dBi @2.4 GHz6 dBi @5 GHz

5 dBi @ 2.4 GHz7 dBi @ 5 GHz

Max association number (open system) 128 128 128

Support data rate

Receive sensitivity Min. Rx sensitivityup to -102 dBm

Min. Rx sensitivityup to -100 dBm

Min. Rx sensitivityup to -100 dBm

LAN

Number of 10/100/1000M LAN 2 2 2

PoE Yes Yes Yes

PoE power draw 17.04 W 15.12 W 15.12 W

29

29

30

30

15

15

23

23

28

28

28

28

14

14

22

22

28

28

28

28

14

14

22

22

WAC6503D-S:•802.11a/g: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54 Mbps•802.11n: up to 450 Mbps in MCS15 (40 MHz)•802.11ac: up to 1300 Mbps in MCS9 (80 MHz)

WAC6502D-S and WAC6502D-E:•802.11a/g: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54 Mbps•802.11n: up to 300 Mbps in MCS15 (40 MHz)•802.11ac: up to 866 Mbps in MCS9 (80 MHz)

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WLAN Features

WLAN maximum net throughput

Mesh* AP (By License) Yes (V4.2) Yes (V4.2) Yes (V4.2)

Mesh* AP for multiple SSID with VLAN (through tunnel mode) Yes (V4.2) Yes (V4.2) Yes (V4.2)

Wireless Security

WEP Yes Yes Yes

WPA/WPA2-PSK Yes Yes Yes

WPA/WPA2-Enterprise Yes Yes Yes

WMM (Wi-Fi certified) Yes Yes Yes

EAP types

IEEE 802.1X Yes Yes Yes

Number of SSID 16 16 16

Web authentication Yes Yes Yes

MAC filtering Yes Yes Yes

Layer-2 isolation Yes Yes Yes

RADIUS authentication Yes Yes Yes

Microsoft AD authentication Yes Yes Yes

LDAP authentication Yes Yes Yes

MAC authentication Yes Yes Yes

Embedded RADIUS server Yes Yes Yes

Rogue AP detection Yes Yes Yes

Rogue AP containment Yes Yes Yes

Firewall Yes Yes Yes

Network

IPv6 host Yes Yes Yes

VLANs Yes Yes Yes

DHCP client Yes Yes Yes

QoS (PG)

WMM Yes Yes Yes

WMM power save Yes Yes Yes

DiffServ marking Yes Yes Yes

Management

ZON utility

• Discovery of ZyXEL switches, APs and gateways*

• Centralized and batch configurations■ IP configuration ■ IP renew ■ Device reboot■ Device locating ■ Web GUI access ■ Firmware upgrade■ Password configuration ■ One-click quick association with ZyXEL AP Configurator (ZAC)

ZyXEL AP configurator• Batch AP configuration • Batch AP firmware upgrade• Batch AP profile backup

ZyXEL wireless optimizer• Wi-Fi AP Planning• Wi-Fi coverage detection• Wireless health management

Standalone AP mode Yes Yes Yes

Managed AP mode Yes Yes Yes

CLI Yes Yes Yes

Web UI Yes Yes Yes

SNMP Yes Yes Yes

Others

Plenum rating Yes Yes Yes

Kensington lock support Yes Yes Yes

Power supply Input: AC 100 - 240 V -50/60 Hz 0.3 A; Output: DC +12 V 2 A

MTBF (hr) 44,000 44,000 44,000

EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, EAP-PEAP, EAP-FAST, EAP-AKA and EAP-SIM

F o r m o r e p r o d u c t i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t u s o n t h e w e b a t w w w . Z y X E L . c o m

Copyright © 2014 ZyXEL Communications Corp. All rights reserved. ZyXEL, ZyXEL logo are registered trademarks of ZyXEL Communications Corp. All other brands, product names, or trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. All specifications are subject to change without notice.

5-100-00714008 10/14



Standard Compliance

Ethernet

• IEEE 802.3• IEEE 802.3u• IEEE 802.11ab• IEEE 802.3au• IEEE 802.3az• IEEE 802.3at/af (af mode only

support 1TX3RX)

• IEEE 802.3• IEEE 802.3u • IEEE 802.11ab • IEEE 802.3au• IEEE 802.3az • IEEE 802.3at/af (af mode only support 1TX2RX)

PoE IEEE 802.3af, IEEE 802.3at

WLAN

• 802.11b: DBPSK, DQPSK, CCK• 802.11g: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM• 802.11a: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM• 802.11n: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM• 802.11ac: BPSK, QPSK, 64-QAM, 256-QAM

Certifications

Radio FCC Part 15C, FCC Part 15E, ETSI EN 300 328, EN 301 893, LP0002, EN 60601-1-2

EMC FCC Part 15B, EN 301 489-1, EN 301 489-17, EN55022, EN55024, EN61000-3-2/-3, BSMI CNS13438

Safety EN 60950-1, IEC 60950-1, BSMI CNS14336-1

Physical Specifications

ItemDimensions (WxDxH)(mm/in.) 236 x 227 x 62/9.28 x 8.95 x 2.43 236 x 227 x 62/9.28 x 8.95 x 2.43 236 x 227 x 62/9.28 x 8.95 x 2.43

Weight (g/lb.) 982/2.17 961/2.12 841/1.86

Packing Dimensions (WxDxH)(mm/in.) 308 x 323 x 127/

12.13 x 12.72 x 5.00308 x 323 x 127/

12.13 x 12.72 x 5.00308 x 323 x 127/

12.13 x 12.72 x 5.00

Weight (g/lb.) 1743/3.85 1722/3.81 1699/3.75

Included accessories• Ceiling mount plate• Mounting screws

• Ceiling mount plate• Mounting screws

• External antenna• Ceiling mount plate• Mounting screws

Environmental Specifications

Operating Temperature 0°C to 50°C/32°F to 122°F 0°C to 50°C/32°F to 122°F 0°C to 50°C/32°F to 122°F

Humidity 10% to 90% (non-condensing) 10% to 90% (non-condensing) 10% to 90% (non-condensing)

StorageTemperature -40°C to 70°C/-40°F to 158°F -40°C to 70°C/-40°F to 158°F -40°C to 70°C/-40°F to 158°F

Humidity 10% to 90% 10% to 90% 10% to 90%

* Gateway supporting ZON utility is scheduled for future release.

smart antenna makes us the perfect choice for 802.11ac one

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